Mohammed Adamu, inspector-general of police, has ordered his men to beef up security across the nation as a result of protests by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), better known as Shi’ites.
Members of the group have often taken to major roads in the nation’s capital, demanding the release of Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, their leader who has been in detention since 2015 despite courts granting him bail.
More than 15 people were killed in one of such protests on Monday, resulting to panic among Abuja residents.
In a statement on Friday, Frank Mba, police spokesmen, assured residents of the federal capital territory (FCT) of their safety, saying the nation’s capital is under surveillance.
“This is in the face of series of violent protest and unrest by members of the El-Zazakky group in the FCT,” Mba said.
“Meanwhile, the IGP has assured citizens that proactive measures including aerial surveillance of major cities have been emplaced to ensure the safety and security of lives and property of all Nigerians.
“In addition, zonal assistant inspectors-general of police (AIGs) and commissioners of police (CPs) nationwide have been mandated to ensure customized security arrangements are put in place in their Area of Responsibilities (AORs) to checkmate the activities of criminals and any possible threat to public peace.”
He enjoined citizens to be wary of “unsubstantiated security advisories capable of creating undue fear, panic and apprehension in the country.”
“The IGP has further advised all would-be protesters to ensure they express their grievances within the ambit of the law so as not to infringe on the constitutional rights of other citizens or cause breach of public peace,” he said.